Stepladder



Ma 22, "1928; 1,670,653 I I C. F. CUMMINS STEPLADDER Original Filed June 28, 1926 [id/A 8 /'T' 6 1072/77/05 nome v Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE; I

CHARLES F. CUMMINS, OF SPOKANE, WASHING-TON, ASSIGNOR F ONE-THIRD T0 FREDERICK BAGKLUND AND ONE-THIRD TO PETER PAUL .SON'IAG, BOTH 01? SP0- K AIQ'E, WASHINGTON.

STEPLADDEB.

Application filed June 28, 1926, Serial No. 118,934. Renewed February 23,1928.

My present invention relates to improvements in step ladders, of the propped type, wherein the ladder structure is made up of a step-section and a hinged prop-section,

both of which sections in turn are composed of relatively movable or extensible parts, and provided with means for holding the respective extensible parts in adjusted position.

The ladder of my invention is especially adapted for use in orchards, when picking fruit and its light but strong construction, minimum number of parts, and simple and compact arrangement of parts render it capable of being adjusted to irregularities in the ground surface, and with equal facility the ladder may be adjusted as to height for picking fruit at different levels.

The invention consists 'in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be more fully pointed out and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example I of the physical embodiment of my invention where-in the parts are combined and arranged in accord with the best mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principlesiof my invention.

der of my invention in position for use.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the step-section and showing the prop-section in side elevation.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail perspective view of a portion of the ladder showing the means for supporting the extension part on the base part of the step-section.

Figure t is a detail view showing an anchoring cleat for the cable or cord of the prop-section.

In carrying out my invention I preferably use an A-shaped frame or base for the step-section comprising the, two side bars 1 and 2 with the fixed, lower, cross brace 3, and within these converging side bars are arranged a pair of parallel bars 4 and 5 fixed at their lower ends to the cross brace '3. At their upper ends these spaced, parallel bars, which form guides for the extension part of the step section, are secured to the converging bars 1 and 2 by Figure 1 is a perspective View of the ladat the top of the frame, with the front edges means of a brace band 6 or'metalstrap-that passes around the upper part of the A-frame .or base. The band is secured by bolts or screws to the upper ends of the pairs of side bars, and the A-frame or base forms a rigid-structure for the support of the ladderQ The inner parallel bars l and :5 are joined by a series of off-set steps as 7, 8, .9,

.10, 11, each ofwhich at its ends is secured to the parrallel bars by means of metal straps 12 and screws, as best seen in Figure 3. In this manner the two pairs of bars 1,

2 and 4, 5, with thecross brace 3 and cross band 6, together with the off-set steps, form a rigid base for the support of the extension part of the step section, and the steps 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, are used selectively for supporting the extension part of the step-section at various heights.

The extension part of the stepsection comprises a pair of spaced, parallel side bars 13and 14 having at their upper ends a platform 15 rigidly secured thereto, and at regular intervals throughout the length of the side bars they are joined by steps as 16, the lowe'rmoststep- 0f the extension part being designated 16. The extension part fits in neatly between the two inner, spaced, parallel bars 4 and 5 of the baseframe and passes down through the band 6 spective pairs of side bars 4-13 and 5-14 and at the front of the ladder are each provided with a handle as 19 in order that they may be grasped by both hands of an operator and used to elevate or lower the extension part of the ladder relatively to the base-' frame.

Each U-shaped bar is fashioned with a straight slidable latch bar or bolt 20 which is retained in a housing 21 provided with flanges by means of which the housing is frame, for the support of the extension part of the step-section In Figure 3 the slide bolts are shown resting on the offset step 9 for the support of the extension part, and it will be obvious that by grasping the handles 19 and lifting the'weight of the extension part from the step 9, the slide bolts 20 may at the same time be pushed into their housings and freed from the step 9. In this position of the slide bolts the extension part may be lifted or lowered and theslide bolts again pulled out to rest upon a selected one of the off-set steps of the base frame for supporting the extension part in adjusted position.

The prop for the step-section comprises a pair of bars with telescopic connections, the upper bar 28 of the prop being hinged at 24 to the top portion of the extension part of the step section and the leg or lower bar 25 of the prop is designed to rest upon the ground surface as indicated. The leg 25 at its upper end has a fixed slide or metal band throi'ighwhich the upper bar 23 passes, and the latter bar has a fixed slide or band 27 through which the leg 25 passes, and the parallel bars 23 and 25 it will be apparent are relatively movable and guided by the pair of slides 26 and 27.

An adjusting cord 28 for the'prop is attached at 29 to the slide 26 of the'leg 25 and passes down and around a pulley SOjournaled on the slide 27 of the upper bar 23. The cord passes upwardly and over a guide pulley 31 journaled in bearings at the top of the extension part of the step section, and

then is carried down and secured to a forked cleat 32 on the base-frame of the step-section. A numberof knots 33 are tied in the cord 7 or cable to retain the cord which is slipped ure 4, and a selected one of these knots is used to anchor the free end of the cord. The knotted end of the cord is supported on the base-frame in position for ready access by the operator who is manipulating the extension part by the use of the handles 19, and he may readily manipulate the step sec tion and the prop section to adjust the ladder as desired. 'By pulling down on the cord the upper bar 28 of the prop is elevated with relation to the leg 25, and when the cord is released the extensible prop will be shortened by the action of gravity.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. The combination with a base frame including spaced bars, atop band, and offset steps, of an extension part retained and guided within said band and spaced bars, housings carried by the extension part, slidable U-shaped bolts carried in said housings for co-action with a selected off-set step, and handles on the free ends of said U-shaped bolts.

2. The combination in an extension ladder with a base-frame having an'off-setstep and a slidableextension part .having a housing, of a slidable U-shaped bolt having an arm disposed through said housing adapted for pro ectaon over the off-set step for supporting the extension part, a retaining 'slidablc within the frame bars "and having a plurality of steps, housings secured to the steps of said extension part, bolts'slidable-' through said housings transversely of said steps for engagement with aligned pairs thereof to support said extension part, said bolts having free portions bent outwardly around said side bars and extended parallel with thebolts, and handles formed-on the ends of said free portions;

In testimony whereof I aflix mv signature.

CHARLES F. out aims. 

